Think of the last time you faced a truly novel legal challenge. Remember that mix of uncertainty and excitement? That's exactly where many of us stand with artificial intelligence (AI) today. The legal profession is at a technological crossroads, and the most important question you should be asking isn't "How do I use AI?" but "How should I think about AI?"
This isn't just another tech tool to master. This is about embracing a new way of thinking about our work.
Let's talk specifically about generative artificial intelligence (GenAI)—a breakthrough technology powered by large language models (LLMs). These models are trained on vast amounts of data including text, code, images and other digital content, learning patterns that allow them to understand and generate humanlike text, analyze documents and engage in sophisticated dialogue. LLMs can adapt to context and handle novel situations by breaking down inputs and understanding relationships between concepts. This enables GenAI to draft documents, analyze legal arguments, summarize research and even help reason through complex problems in ways that feel remarkably humanlike.
However, these models don't "think" like humans do—they're pattern recognition tools that require your legal expertise and judgment to produce meaningful work. Think of GenAI as a highly capable associate in training who never sleeps and needs your guidance to ensure accurate, professionally appropriate results.
If all of this leaves you feeling overwhelmed, I have good news: the path to successful GenAI integration begins with something you already excel at—structured, analytical thinking combined with creative problem-solving. You've got this.
Remember your first year of practice? You didn't start by handling complex litigation or major deals all by yourself. You built your expertise step-by-step, learning by doing and learning from others. The same applies to GenAI adoption.
Success doesn't come from technical knowledge—it comes from your approach to learning and experimentation. Just as you develop case strategy through careful analysis and creative thinking, working with GenAI demands a similar mindset. The key difference? With GenAI, perfect results don't come on the first try. And that's OK.
Remember why you went to law school? That desire to question everything, to understand how things work? Channel that same inquisitiveness into your GenAI exploration. Instead of approaching these tools with skepticism or fear, let your natural curiosity lead the way. Ask yourself "What if?" instead of "Why bother?" Explore new applications without preconceptions, treating each interaction as a learning opportunity. Stay open to discovering unexpected ways AI might enhance your practice. The most successful lawyers in this space embrace a curious and open mind while applying their professional judgment.
Think about how you develop legal strategy—over time, you test different approaches, learn from results and refine your methods. GenAI requires the same experimental mindset but with faster learning cycles. Start with low-stakes trials where mistakes don't matter. Keep notes about what works and what doesn't. Each experiment builds your understanding and confidence. The key is to view each attempt not as a success or failure, but as valuable data pointing toward better results.
Yes, legal practice can seem rigid, and rule bound. But you know what sets great lawyers apart? Creative thinking. The same applies to GenAI use. Look for novel ways to approach routine tasks. Combine different techniques to solve complex problems. Share your discoveries with colleagues and learn from their experiences. When you bring your creative problem-solving skills to these tools, you'll find opportunities that others miss.
Having the right mindset is essential, but how do you get started? Think of it as gradually incorporating a new tool into your existing workflow, much like you did when you first adopted e-filing or practice management software. There's no need for dramatic changes.
Start by observing how your colleagues use GenAI. Read about successful applications in your practice area. Look for routine tasks that feel repetitive or time-consuming because these are often perfect candidates for AI assistance.
Begin with non-client work to avoid any confidentiality concerns. Test the AI tool on tasks you already do well; this helps you understand both its capabilities and limitations.
Most importantly, build your confidence gradually. Start with basic applications, document what you learn, and share your experiences with colleagues. Every small success builds your foundation for more advanced applications.
The GenAI landscape can feel overwhelming at first glance. But here's the thing: just as you don't need to master every legal research platform to be effective, you don't need to try every AI tool available. Start with one reliable platform and learn to use it well.
Currently, four main players dominate the conversational GenAI space, offering the most technologically advanced models. ChatGPT from OpenAI is user-friendly and widely used—think of it as the Westlaw of AI tools. Claude from Anthropic excels at professional analysis and tends to provide more nuanced responses. Gemini from Google brings strong research capabilities to the table, while Microsoft's Copilot is integrated within the Office 365 tools you're likely already using.
Start with any one of these tools to begin your GenAI journey.
Communicating with GenAI is a lot like drafting a well-structured legal document—clarity and organization are key. Just as you carefully craft language in legal writing to avoid ambiguity, you need to be precise and thoughtful in your communications with these tools.
Think about how you'd brief a new associate. You provide context about the matter, clearly state what you need and specify how you want the work presented. The same principles apply here. Start by telling the AI tool your role and what you're trying to accomplish. Then clearly outline your expectations for the output, including format and tone preferences.
For example, instead of simply asking for "help with an email," try something like: "I'm an employment lawyer drafting an email about workplace policy changes. I need a clear first draft that uses plain language, emphasizes key points, maintains professionalism, but avoids legal jargon." See the difference? The more context you provide, the better the results you'll get.
Your enthusiasm for GenAI's capabilities needs to be balanced with professional prudence just as you have systems to prevent malpractice and protect client interests. Think of it as creating a safety protocol for a new type of legal tool.
Start by using hypothetical scenarios for practice. When you're learning to use a new legal research platform, you don't start with a client's urgent matter and the same principle applies here. Work with nonsensitive information as you build your skills. Make verification a habit from the beginning. Treat AI-generated content like a first draft from a junior associate—always review, fact-check and apply your professional judgment.
Keep track of your significant AI interactions, just as you would document important client communications. Note which approaches work best and share these best practices with colleagues. Remember, you're not just learning a tool—you're developing a new set of professional protocols.
Start by using GenAI to explore legal concepts you already know well. This isn't about learning new law—it's about learning how the AI thinks. Ask it to explain a concept you're expert in, then analyze its response. Where does it get things right? Where does it oversimplify? This exercise helps you understand both the AI's capabilities and its limitations. Plus, you'll get better at asking questions that generate useful responses.
Next, try drafting some basic, nonconfidential documents. Email templates are perfect for this, especially those routine messages you find yourself writing over and over. Ask the AI to draft a client update email, a meeting follow-up or a basic letter of engagement. Have it try different tones and styles. Each iteration teaches you more about how to guide the AI toward your desired outcome.
Here's where GenAI really shines—as a thought partner for generating ideas. Need topics for your next client newsletter? Looking for fresh angles on a familiar legal issue? Want to explore different approaches to professional development? The AI can help you break out of your usual thinking patterns and spot new possibilities. The key here is to treat the AI's suggestions as starting points for your own creative thinking, not as final answers.
A word of advice: Keep track of your experiments with each of these projects. Note which prompts worked best, what surprised you and where you had to adjust. This documentation becomes invaluable as you move on to more complex applications.
While exploring GenAI tools on your own can be rewarding, there's something powerful about learning alongside colleagues. Creating an "AI community of practice" can transform your journey from a solitary effort into a collaborative adventure.
When legal professionals explore GenAI tools together, something remarkable happens. A litigator discovers a novel way to analyze a case, while a transactional attorney finds a new approach to contract review. These insights benefit everyone. Plus, knowing your colleagues expect to hear about your latest experiments creates the good kind of peer pressure that keeps you moving forward.
Starting a GenAI learning community is simple. Reach out to two or three interested colleagues. Schedule monthly lunch meetings to share discoveries, create a channel for quick questions or start a shared document for successful prompts. The format matters less than the commitment to regular interaction and shared learning.
Success with GenAI isn't about becoming a tech expert—it's about bringing your lawyer mindset to a new kind of tool. Just as you learned to navigate complex legal challenges, you can master this new territory through curiosity, experimentation, and creativity.
Just do it. Here's your getting started checklist:
My challenge to you: let your natural curiosity and professional judgment guide your exploration of GenAI. The most successful GenAI adopters in our profession aren't the tech wizards, they're the lawyers who approach these tools with an open mind and a willingness to learn through thoughtful experimentation.
Your legal expertise combined with GenAI capabilities? That's a powerful combination. Time to discover what it can do for your practice.
